WEST Dorset-based actor Martin Clunes will be swapping the television lights for floodlights as the guest at an illuminating fundraiser.

The Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin Star will be switching on the lights for a special charity preview of the Enchanted Illuminations at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens.

The event on Wednesday, October 14 raising money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, of which Mr Clunes is patron, is sold out after tickets were snapped up in record time.

The enchanted gardens then open to the public the following day, with a switch-on at dusk, and the illuminations can be seen every evening until Sunday, November 1.

Visitors will have the chance to see the gardens ablaze with colour and light as they spend autumn evenings strolling the candle-lit pathways. For youngsters there will be extra Halloween fun as the three family Fright Nights are bigger and scarier than ever before.

Weldmar’s Director of Fundraising Grant Usmar said: “We are delighted to be supported by Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens once again – and to have also sold all the tickets to the event so early; this is the first time this event has sold out.

"Thank you to all those that have bought tickets – we know it will be a wonderful evening.

"Now that the event has sold out, unfortunately there will be no tickets available on the gate.

"We would also like to thank Martin Clunes, who has once again this year agreed to switch on the lights.”

Abbotsbury Tourism general manager John Houston said: “Martin gives his time free of charge for this event. All the monies raised on the night go to the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, a very worthy local charity."

Floodlights will illuminate the garden paths on a 45-minute route around the ‘long walk’, the lily ponds and the pavilion, as candles blaze in its nooks and crannies. There is a shorter route, which is suitable for wheelchairs.

Children are urged to don weird and wonderful fancy dress for the family Halloween evenings from Thursday, October 29 to Saturday, October 31. Features include the 'Maze of Terror' – a huge haunted house.

Mr Houston said: “The gardens take on a completely different, magical atmosphere when they are lit up.

“The autumn foliage is even more spectacular when it is bathed in coloured light and the flickering glow of candles – it truly is enchanting."

For further information call Abbotsbury Tourism office on 01305 871130 or visit abbotsburygardens.co.uk to make an online booking saving of 20 per cent.